In a major push for food security and innovative learning, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Education Secretary Sonny Angara, together with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA), officially launched the nationwide school-based hydroponics project at Las Piñas National High School and Parañaque National High School.
The initiative, part of the “Agri Tayo, Lab for All” program, introduces modern, space-efficient, and climate-resilient farming technologies to public schools.
Angara highlighted that by using up to 90% less water than traditional farming, hydroponics serves as a vital climate adaptation strategy against the severe impacts of Super El Niño while driving sustainable food production.
He also emphasized that the initiative modernizes the Department of Education’s (DepEd) long-standing Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP) to better equip learners for climate extremes and food sustainability challenges.
Funded through the Social Environmental Fund generated from reclamation projects, the first phase aims to establish hydroponics greenhouse facilities in 200 schools nationwide, scaling up to 700 units overall to tackle spatial and agricultural challenges in urban and coastal communities.
“Malaking ambag ang hydroponics project upang gawing mas makabago at episyente ang pagtatanim ng gulay sa ating mga paaralan. Not all schools have adequate space or fertile soil. Kaya mahalaga ang inisyatibang ito dahil nagiging posible ang Gulayan sa Paaralan Program kahit limitado ang espasyo,” Angara said.
“Napakainam din nito sa pagtitipid ng tubig. Hydroponics uses 90% less water than traditional farming, making it a critical buffer against climate extremes like Super El Niño. Higit pa rito, mas mapapalawak natin ang kaalaman ng komunidad tungkol sa modernong pagsasaka,” he added.
The First Lady and Angara inspected the newly installed greenhouse units at Las Piñas National High School and interacted with learners.
Funded through the Social Environmental Fund generated from reclamation projects, the first phase aims to establish hydroponics greenhouse facilities in 200 schools nationwide, scaling up to 700 units overall to tackle spatial and agricultural challenges in urban and coastal communities.
Aside from supplementing the School-Based Feeding Program with freshly harvested vegetables, the greenhouse facilities are designed to serve as hands-on living laboratories. Through experiential learning, learners can directly observe plant growth, nutrient management, water utilization, and photosynthesis, thereby integrating real-world science into their lessons.
The initiative, part of the “Agri Tayo, Lab for All” program, introduces modern, space-efficient, and climate-resilient farming technologies to public schools.
The project also supports Agri-Fishery Arts and agro-entrepreneurship electives under the strengthened Senior High School curriculum, helping learners cultivate practical livelihood and technical-vocational skills.
For the initial phase, beneficiary schools across Metro Manila and various provinces including Cavite, Cagayan, Pangasinan, Pampanga, and Masbate will each receive a hydroponics greenhouse facility.
Las Piñas City National High School and Parañaque National High School received two units each to maximize learner reach and community engagement.
DepEd and its partners look forward to expanding the collaboration to more institutions, ensuring that more Filipino learners gain practical agricultural skills while contributing to community food security.
